Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
articles:kaizen-myth_and_reality [2022/06/05 15:32] – [Myth #4] rrandallarticles:kaizen-myth_and_reality [2023/03/10 09:36] (current) – [Myth #4] rrandall
Line 40: Line 40:
 While some of the ideas he promoted weren't valid even at the time that he wrote about them (e.g., "Zero Defects"), others remain valid today (e.g., Robotics, Automation). Ultimately, when Masaaki Imai wrote his book... and for many years since that time, there has been a tradition of quality professionals striving to find ways to improve quality. And Masaaki Imai was a valuable contributor to that tradition. While some of the ideas he promoted weren't valid even at the time that he wrote about them (e.g., "Zero Defects"), others remain valid today (e.g., Robotics, Automation). Ultimately, when Masaaki Imai wrote his book... and for many years since that time, there has been a tradition of quality professionals striving to find ways to improve quality. And Masaaki Imai was a valuable contributor to that tradition.
  
 +As with any author promoting ideas, we should identify and keep the good (useful) concepts, while discarding those that are no longer valid or useful. This is how we learn and progress as a people.
 ==== Myth #3 ==== ==== Myth #3 ====
 The "Kaizen" concept is only applicable to manufacturing processes. The "Kaizen" concept is only applicable to manufacturing processes.
Line 63: Line 63:
 ~ Diehl, E., & Stroebe, W. (1991). “[[https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1992-05054-001|Productivity loss in idea generating groups: Tracking down the blocking effect]]”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 392-403)</blockquote> ~ Diehl, E., & Stroebe, W. (1991). “[[https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1992-05054-001|Productivity loss in idea generating groups: Tracking down the blocking effect]]”. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 392-403)</blockquote>
  
-While there continue to be several publications and websites promoting the use of brainstorming (often from consults offering ways to conduct more effective/productive brainstorming sessions), there are plenty of publications and websites describing the problems (ineffectiveness) of brainstorming. For example: \\ +While there continue to be several publications and websites promoting the use of brainstorming (often from consults offering ways to conduct more effective/productive brainstorming sessions), there are plenty of other publications and websites describing the problems (ineffectiveness) of brainstorming. For example: \\ 
   * [[https://www.inc.com/teresa-torres/why-brainstorming-doesnt-work-and-what-to-do-instead.html|Why Brainstorming Doesn't Work (and What to Do Instead)]]   * [[https://www.inc.com/teresa-torres/why-brainstorming-doesnt-work-and-what-to-do-instead.html|Why Brainstorming Doesn't Work (and What to Do Instead)]]
   * [[https://www.fastcompany.com/3062292/brainstorming-is-dumb|Brainstorming Is Dumb (from Fast Company)]]   * [[https://www.fastcompany.com/3062292/brainstorming-is-dumb|Brainstorming Is Dumb (from Fast Company)]]
Line 71: Line 71:
   * [[https://assemblybuildings.com/content/why-brainstorming-doesn-t-work--43|Why Brainstorming Doesn't Work?]]   * [[https://assemblybuildings.com/content/why-brainstorming-doesn-t-work--43|Why Brainstorming Doesn't Work?]]
  
-Ultimately, there is so much [[https://www.trizmantra.com/psychological_inertia.html|psychological inertia]] supporting the continued use of brainstorming that few people have sufficient motivating force to abandon it and seek a better technique(s)... such as TRIZ. +Ultimately, there is so much [[https://www.trizmantra.com/psychological_inertia.html|psychological inertia]] supporting the continued use of brainstorming that few people have a sufficient motivating force to abandon it and seek a better technique(s)... such as TRIZ.  
 +<WRAP center round important 80%> 
 +"Brainstorming" is used for "idea" sourcing. NOT "solution" sourcing. Consequently, "Brainstorming" has little, if anything, to do with problem-solving. 
 +</WRAP>
  
 ==== Myth #5 ==== ==== Myth #5 ====
Line 77: Line 80:
  
 __Reality__ \\  __Reality__ \\ 
-As mentioned earlier, a “problem” is defined as the gap between the current state and the desired state. Without knowing and understanding the current state, one cannot conceive of a "desired" state for which to strive toward.+A “problem” is defined as the gap between the current state and the desired state. And if the current state is in constant flux, then we have no stable/reliable reference point with which to define that gap. Therefore, it is essential for the "current state" to be consistent/steady (standardized) before the problem can be clearly defined.
  
 Taiichi Ohno, Father of the TPS ("Toyota Production System") recognized this when he said: Taiichi Ohno, Father of the TPS ("Toyota Production System") recognized this when he said:
Line 83: Line 86:
  
 Consider for a moment all of the products that have actually gotten worse with each new edition/"upgrade" rather than better. This is often due to companies being "out of touch" with their customer base... and/or more focused on attracting new/different customers; with a different set of needs/requirements. Consider for a moment all of the products that have actually gotten worse with each new edition/"upgrade" rather than better. This is often due to companies being "out of touch" with their customer base... and/or more focused on attracting new/different customers; with a different set of needs/requirements.
 +
 +Change for the sake of change is not necessarily an improvement.